Subject
English drama -- 18th century Books
Best books
Richard Brinsley Sheridan
The School for Scandal
"The School for Scandal" by Richard Brinsley Sheridan is a comedy of manners first performed in 1777. In fashionable London society, gossip-mongers spread malicious rumors while hidden motives and false reputations abound. Two brothers compete for the same heiress, though one is deemed respectable while the other is considered a wastrel. Meanwhile, their wealthy uncle returns from abroad in disguise to test their true characters. Marriages strain, scandals brew, and nothing is quite as it seems in this world of wit and deception.
John Vanbrugh
Plays, written by Sir John Vanbrugh, volume the first
"Plays" by Sir John Vanbrugh is a collection of dramatic works written in the late 17th century. This volume, the first of two, includes notable plays such as "The Relapse" and "The Provok'd Wife." Thematically, the works delve into the complexities of love and societal morality, often exploring the tensions between virtue and vice through the misadventures of various characters. The opening of "The Relapse," the first play included in this collection, introduces the leading character, Loveless, who delights in his tranquil domestic life but is soon drawn into a world of temptation. As he muses on the pleasures of love and the perils of returning to the indulgences of his youth, his wife Amanda expresses her concerns about the dangers of urban temptation, setting the stage for a conflict between fidelity and the allure of the past. Meanwhile, the play showcases a vibrant cast, including Young Fashion and Lord Foppington, who navigate their own comical yet troublesome pursuits, emphasizing the themes of misunderstanding and societal folly that are prevalent throughout Vanbrugh's work.
Hannah Cowley
The Belle's Stratagem
"The Belle's Stratagem" by Hannah Cowley is a romantic comedy written in 1780. When Letitia Hardy discovers her childhood betrothed Doricourt seems unmoved by her charms, she devises a bold deception to win his passionate devotion rather than settle for a loveless marriage. Meanwhile, newlyweds Sir George and Lady Frances Touchwood navigate jealousy and the corrupting influence of fashionable London society. Both plotlines converge at a climactic masquerade ball where wit, virtue, and romantic love challenge the era's social conventions about marriage and women's roles.
Richard Brinsley Sheridan
St. Patrick's Day; Or, The Scheming Lieutenant: A Farce in One Act
"St. Patrick's Day; Or, The Scheming Lieutenant: A Farce in One Act" by Richard Brinsley Sheridan is a play first performed in 1775. Lieutenant O'Connor loves Lauretta, but her jealous father Justice Credulous keeps them apart. With help from the sentimental Dr. Rosy, O'Connor devises elaborate disguises to outwit the obstinate Justice and win his beloved. Through mistaken identities and comic deceptions, the scheming lieutenant pursues his romantic goal in this lighthearted farce of love, trickery, and domestic chaos.
Hannah Cowley
A Bold Stroke for a Husband: A Comedy in Five Acts
"A Bold Stroke for a Husband: A Comedy in Five Acts" by Hannah Cowley is a comedic play written in the early 19th century. Set in Spain, it revolves around the various romantic entanglements and intrigues involving notable characters such as the strong-willed Olivia and her father, Don Cæsar, who is determined to see her married. The play explores themes of love, manipulation, and the dynamics between men and women in the societal context of the time. The opening of the play introduces us to a lively and humorous scenario in Madrid, where characters such as Sancha and Pedro engage in clever banter while preparing for the repercussions of love and jealousy. We meet Don Carlos, who harbors a tumultuous relationship with his wife and enters into a comedic interplay with other suitors. Meanwhile, Olivia grapples with numerous suitors and her resistance to conform to societal expectations of marriage, revealing her assertive personality. As the scenes unfold, both familial pressure and romantic antics set the stage for the conflicts and resolutions that will define the characters’ fates throughout the rest of the play.
Richard Brinsley Sheridan
A Trip to Scarborough; and, The Critic
"A Trip to Scarborough" by Richard Brinsley Sheridan is a comedy play written in the late 18th century. The narrative follows a series of misunderstandings, romantic pursuits, and social dynamics centered around a group of characters attending the resort town of Scarborough, including Tom Fashion, who seeks fortune and love amid a tangled web of relationships. The opening of the play introduces us to Tom Fashion and his servant Lory, who arrive at an inn in Scarborough. They quickly illustrate their struggles with financial woes, highlighting Tom's disdain for his wealthy brother, Lord Foppington, who is set to marry a wealthy heiress. The interaction reveals Tom’s plan to engage with his brother over money while setting the stage for a humorous clash of personalities. We also meet Colonel Townly, who provides insight into the social landscape of their surroundings, focusing on potential love interests and rivalries, notably regarding Amanda and Berinthia, the ladies caught up in the romantic entanglements. This initial setup hints at the complexities of courtship and deception that will unfold as the characters pursue their various agendas.
John Vanbrugh
Plays, written by Sir John Vanbrugh, volume the second
"Plays" by Sir John Vanbrugh is a collection of theatrical works written in the early 18th century. This volume includes plays like "The Confederacy," "The Mistake," "The Country House," "A Journey to London," and "The Provok'd Husband," showcasing a satirical look at societal norms and relationships in Vanbrugh's time. The characters navigate themes of love, deception, and class distinction, with a focus on both humorous and critical examinations of their society. The opening of "Plays" introduces the play "The Confederacy" and centers around characters discussing their struggles with money, societal expectations, and the follies of social ambitions. It features Mrs. Amlet, a seller of various beauty items, lamenting her poor financial state while interacting with her neighbor Mrs. Cloggit. Their dialogue reveals the pressures of living beyond social means, as Mrs. Amlet discusses her hope of marrying her son to a wealthy woman, despite his reckless behavior. The introduction of Dick, Mrs. Amlet's son, establishes him as a roguish yet charming character entangled in schemes to improve his fortunes. This sets the tone for a comedic exploration of social aspirations and personal misadventures that lie ahead in the narrative.
Charles Macklin
A Will and No Will; or, A Bone for the Lawyers. (1746) The New Play Criticiz'd, or the Plague of Envy. (1747)
"A Will and No Will; or, A Bone for the Lawyers" by Charles Macklin is a comedic farce written in the mid-18th century. This two-act play satirizes the legal profession and social conventions of its time, particularly focusing on themes of avarice and deceit through the character of Sir Isaac Skinflint, who exhibits extreme caution regarding his fortune and his will. Other characters, including his potential heirs and a scheming servant, contribute to the chaos surrounding Skinflint's attempts to secure his legacy while avoiding financial loss. The opening of the play introduces a theatrical prologue featuring banter between audience members discussing the play's reception and teasing the Irish lawyer character. It sets a light-hearted tone while hinting at the comedic misadventures to follow, as characters express their motivations tied to inheritance and legal maneuvering. The prologue's whimsical discussion about the farce prepares the audience for the ensuing antics as the plot unfolds around Skinflint’s reluctance to draft a will and his encounters with would-be heirs and opportunists, ultimately revealing the absurdities of wealth and familial greed in a lively theatrical context.
John Burgoyne
The Heiress; a comedy, in five acts
"The Heiress; a comedy, in five acts" by John Burgoyne is a play that debuted in 1786. Lord Gayville finds himself engaged to Miss Alscrip, a fashionable woman he believes will inherit a fortune. But appearances can be deceiving. When Gayville discovers the true heiress is someone entirely different—Miss Clifford, the woman who holds his heart—he faces an impossible choice. This mistaken identity comedy became an enormous success, running for 31 performances and capturing London audiences with its wit and romantic intrigue.
Theophilus Cibber
The Harlot's Progress (1733), The Rake's Progress (Ms., ca. 1778-1780)
"The Harlot's Progress (1733), The Rake's Progress (Ms., ca. 1778-1780)" by Theophilus Cibber is a collection of dramatic works influenced by William Hogarth's engravings, written during the early 18th century. This book features two pieces: a grotesque pantomime entertainment and a morality ballad opera. It explores themes of vice, virtue, and the harsh realities of society as reflected in the lives of its characters, particularly focusing on the moral decline related to wealth and sexual exploitation. In "The Harlot's Progress," the story revolves around a country girl, Kitty, who succumbs to a life of debauchery after arriving in London, ultimately leading to her demise. The narrative is interspersed with musical elements, comic antics, and a festive atmosphere, contrasting its darker themes with elements of entertainment. "The Rake's Progress," on the other hand, focuses on Tom Rakewell, a young man whose lavish lifestyle leads him to ruin and despair. This piece uses music and humor to depict the moral lessons of Hogarth’s original prints, showcasing the decline from wealth to poverty, culminating in Rakewell's tragic end. Both works serve as reflections on the society of their time, ingeniously blending visual, verbal, and musical elements to engage and instruct their audiences.
Isaac Bickerstaff
The spoil'd child: A farce, in two acts, as performed at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane
"The spoil'd child: A farce, in two acts, as performed at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane" is a comedic play authored by W. Powell, published in the early 19th century. This farce employs humor to explore themes of child misbehavior and parental responsibility, showcasing the folly and indulgence of parents toward their mischievous son. Through a light-hearted narrative and engaging dialogue, it delves into the implications of spoiling children and the importance of discipline. The plot centers on Little Pickle, a notorious brat whose antics bring chaos to his family's home. His father, Old Pickle, struggles to manage his son’s mischievous behavior, which includes pranks that lead to disaster, such as roasting the family parrot instead of a pheasant for dinner. Little Pickle’s antics are met with exasperation from his aunt, Miss Pickle, who suggests measures to correct his behavior, including the deceitful idea of making him believe he was swopped at birth with a poor child. As the story unfolds, humorous misunderstandings and the interactions between characters create a charming reflection on childhood, family dynamics, and the balance between love and discipline. Ultimately, the play concludes with reconciliation and a heartwarming message about acceptance and forgiveness in parenting.
Francis Beaumont
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 03 of 10: The Loyal Subject
"The Loyal Subject" by John Fletcher is a tragicomedy performed in the Jacobean era and published in 1647. Set in Muscovy, the play follows General Archas, whose unwavering loyalty is tested when the Duke dismisses him for a minor correction, only to recall him during a Tartar invasion. Through false accusations, torture, imprisonment, and threats to his family, Archas endures extreme royal mistreatment while remaining faithful. Fletcher explores how far devotion can stretch under tyrannical abuse, creating a provocative commentary on power and obedience.
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